Lithuania to increase defense spending by 32% in 2015.

Moreover, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence has signed contracts on ammunition procurement for nearly LTL 50 m to date. The bulk of the acquisition is made up by ammunition for the G36 assault rifle, 120 mm mortar, and the Carl-Gustaf antitank recoilless rifle.

“One of our current priorities is a well-trained and well-equipped soldier. Therefore replenishment of our munitions reserve will serve for ensuring quality training of military personnel and their appropriate preparation for fulfilling their duties,” Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas said.

The third shipment this year of 5,56x45 mm G36 assault rifle ammunition manufactured by a Lithuanian company Giraites Ginkluotes Gamykla arrived at the Arsenal of the Depot Storage Service in Linkaiciai in late November. The Lithuanian Armed Forces has planned acquiring ammunition for other main rifleman’s weaponry, general purpose machine gun and marksman’s rifle, from this manufacturer in the future too.

The ammunition for the heavy 120 mm mortars used in the Lithuanian Armed Forces is expected to reach its storehouses by the end of next year.

Ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf recoilless antitank rifle is bought for the Lithuanian Armed Forces together with Latvia and Estonia through the European Defence Agency by a contract with the total value of roughly EUR 50 m signed in 2013 and to be implemented in 2015-2017.

The procurements are made from the programmed funds and from the LTL 130 m allocated additionally for defence purposes this year. LTL 25 m have been allocated for replenishing ammunition reserves of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The majority of the contracts are long term with a duration of up to three years. The contracts will be implemented gradually to meet the terms agreed on.